US Bridges

Desert Road over Cypress Swamp

Fair

Suffolk city, Virginia · 1.10 to 675 / 1.10 to 642 · Structure no. 000000000022096

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
136 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
240
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Desert Road over Cypress Swamp is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Desert Road over Cypress Swamp in Suffolk city, Virginia. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 240 vehicles a day, projected to reach 299 by 2045. The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDesert Road
CrossesCypress Swamp
Location1.10 to 675 / 1.10 to 642
RouteCity Street 604
CountySuffolk city
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.62691, -76.56564
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54.3 US tons
Inventory rating41.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length136 ft (41.5 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic240 (2022)
Projected traffic299 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Desert Road over Cypress Swamp built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Desert Road over Cypress Swamp in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Desert Road over Cypress Swamp carry?

About 240 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Desert Road over Cypress Swamp?

The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Desert Road over Cypress Swamp?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.